NFL Handicapping Articles

NFL Props Odds with Expert Betting Picks and Predictions
by Dave Schwab - 12/18/2015

The 10-3 Cincinnati Bengals were barreling their way towards the AFC North title and a possible first-round bye for the playoffs, but that all changed in last Sunday's 33-20 loss to rival Pittsburgh as one-point home favorites. This is mainly because quarterback Andy Dalton went down with a serious hand injury.

NFL Expert Picks Against the Spread: New York Jets at Dallas Cowboys Predictions
by Alan Matthews - 12/17/2015

I had planned to preview Houston at Indianapolis as my Sunday featured game this week, but that line still isn't posted as of this writing because of the uncertain status of Colts backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. He's dealing with rib and arm injuries, but Coach Chuck Pagano expects him to go Sunday in place of Andrew Luck yet again as it's a vital game for the AFC South lead. And Hasselbeck will be countered by Texans backup T.J. Yates with Brian Hoyer out with a concussion.

NFL Betting and Wagering Advice: Biggest Mismatches Week 15
by Victor Ryan - 12/17/2015

This should be an exciting week in the NFL, as by our count all but two matchups on the 16-game slate have playoff implications (Miami-San Diego, Detroit-New Orleans). This week's look at the NFL's biggest mismatches features a couple of road underdogs with a significant advantage in a particular area as well as a team that is going on the road and laying points.

NFL Handicapping: Playoff Scenarios and Predictions
by George Monroy - 12/17/2015

The NFL Playoff picture is starting to clear up heading into the final few weeks of the year. At the top of the AFC postseason bracket, three teams are jockeying for position, while three other teams are battling for two wild-cards spots. Over in the NFC three of the four divisions are essentially locked up, along with the two wild-card representatives. The only thing left is to battle for position. Let's take a closer look at the division matchups and make a few predictions about which teams will make the playoffs.

NFL Basic Strategy Teasers: Best Betting Options for Week 15
by George Monroy - 12/16/2015

Most bettors love a good teaser. Moving spreads around can be an enticing and fun way to wager late in the NFL season after you've spent 13 straight weeks making the same types of bets. Teasers, however, can be trouble and lead many bettors into make "bad" wagers. The easiest and most profitable way to tease a game is to simply follow the basic strategy teaser rules. The wager is a two-team, six-point teaser that uses favorites of 7.5 to 8.5 points and underdogs of 1.5 to 2.5 points and moves each spread past the NFL key numbers of three and seven.

NFL Expert Picks Against the Spread: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at St. Louis Rams Odds
by Alan Matthews - 12/15/2015

Last week we were treated to a terrific Thursday night matchup between Minnesota and Arizona, two likely playoff teams. This week... not quite as good. Tampa Bay (6-7) has been a pleasant surprise in tripling last year's win total, and it has a franchise quarterback in place in 2015 No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston. He's your NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite and should be the first Buc to win that award since running back Cadillac Williams in 2005. This team has a bright future.

NFL Football Predictions: Week 15 Opening Line Report and Picks
by Alan Matthews - 12/14/2015

No league's champion seems to hinge more on injuries than in the NFL. And the Cincinnati Bengals may have learned that the hard way on Sunday when quarterback Andy Dalton, who is having his best season, broke his right (throwing) thumb while making a tackle of a Pittsburgh Steeler after throwing an interception. All the Bengals are saying now is that Dalton won't play this Sunday at San Francisco, doesn't need surgery (so that's a good break) and is week-to-week.

NFL Odds and Betting Week 14: Line Movements & Last-Minute News
by Alan Matthews - 12/11/2015

I don't have a dog in the NFC East battle. And I'll admit I took these scenarios from other sites. But I am praying that all four teams in that division finish at 6-10, although if this scenario I list below plays out then the Dallas Cowboys would be the champs and get to host a wild-card playoff game against probably Minnesota or Seattle. And I hate Dallas.

NFL Betting and Wagering Advice: Biggest Mismatches Week 14
by Victor Ryan - 12/11/2015

A trio of teams fighting for their playoff lives have reason for optimism this week as they hold at least one significant matchup advantage over their opponents. Among these are the Bills, who will look to keep their Wild Card hopes alive against the Eagles; the Chiefs, who currently holds the AFC's first Wild Card slot and are big favorites at home against the division-rival Chargers; and finally, the Buccaneers, who are a game-back of a Wild Card spot and take on New Orleans.

NFL Props Odds with Expert Betting Picks and Predictions
by Dave Schwab - 12/11/2015

It's Week 14 in the NFL, and two of the top story lines heading into Sunday's games are the return of quarterback Johnny Manziel to the Cleveland Browns starting lineup and the return of Buffalo running back LeSean McCoy to his old stomping grounds in Philadelphia. Bovada is all over both of these situations with a pair of special props involving these two players.

NFL Expert Picks Against the Spread: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals Odds
by Alan Matthews - 12/10/2015

The Cincinnati Bengals have never won back-to-back division titles in a full NFL season. Yes, they won the AFC Central in 1981 and again the next year, but 1982 was a strike-shortened season. The Bengals will repeat in the AFC North on Sunday if they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers to complete the season sweep. The Bengals also will clinch at least a playoff spot even with a loss as long as the New York Jets or Kansas City Chiefs lose.

NFL Expert Picks Against the Spread: Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals Odds
by Alan Matthews - 12/9/2015

The Thursday night NFL schedule has left a lot to be desired this season, although last week's ending in Detroit between the Lions and Packers was sensational. But this week's matchup is one of the best of the year and could be a potential playoff preview between Minnesota and Arizona.

Early Super Bowl Point Spread: AFC Currently Slight Favorite
by George Monroy - 12/9/2015

The NFL playoffs are still a few weeks away and the Super Bowl is not until February of next year, so we still have quite a bit of time before football truly gets interesting. But that time frame isn't long enough to stop us from thinking about the big game and making a few predictions. Luckily, since most bettors think alike, a few sportsbooks have already released an early set of Super Bowl lines before most teams have even clinched a playoff spot. Let's take a closer look at those early odds and figure out if we can produce any value by wagering on the Super Bowl before we know who is playing.

NFL Basic Strategy Teasers: Best Betting Options for Week 14
by George Monroy - 12/8/2015

Basic strategy teasers are promising to close the NFL season on a strong note. The wager went a perfect 3-0 last week and pushed its record to 13-1 over the last four weeks, which is a spectacular mark for any type of bet. The teasers are two-team, six-point wagers that use 7.5 to 8.5 point favorites and 1.5 to 2.5 point underdogs to manipulate those spreads past the NFL key numbers of three and seven. Basic strategy teasers have changed over the years and are not quite as powerful as they once were (because the oddsmakers adjusted the vig to even things out), but they are still the best way to use a teaser during the NFL season.

NFL Football Predictions: Week 14 Opening Line Report and Picks
by Alan Matthews - 12/7/2015

We have a new NFL MVP favorite. That award appeared all but locked up a few weeks ago with Tom Brady such a heavy favorite that Bovada only listed a prop on Brady vs. the field to win MVP. But Brady's Patriots have now lost back-to-back games, and he had his worst rating of the season (71.4) in Sunday's shocking home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Brady had two picks, his first game this year with more than one. He did pass Dan Marino, however, for No. 3 on the all-time TD pass list. Brady has 423 with Peyton Manning at No. 1 with 539.

NFL Betting and Wagering Advice: Biggest Mismatches Week 13
by Victor Ryan - 12/5/2015

This time of year, when weather becomes a factor, a productive rushing attack can be the difference between winning and losing in the NFL. This week's slate features a handful of games with significant mismatches in the ground game, including in a pair AFC West divisional showdowns. Let's get started.

NFL Odds and Betting Week 13: Line Movements & Last-Minute News
by Alan Matthews - 12/4/2015

I am very eagerly looking forward to Sunday night's game between Indianapolis and Pittsburgh as well as Monday's matchup between Dallas and Washington (which I previewed here at Doc's). Not so much for betting purposes or as a fan of one of those teams. I just want to see how those games can top the endings of the past three prime-time NFL thrillers.

NFL Props Odds with Expert Betting Picks and Predictions
by Dave Schwab - 12/4/2015

Bovada is not only one of the top online sportsbooks for betting on NFL games, but oftentimes it goes above and beyond with some additional betting action by releasing odds for a few special player and team props to go along with that week's games. Most times these props center around some of the top trending topics in the league.

NFL Expert Picks Against the Spread: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders Odds
by Alan Matthews - 12/3/2015

With Denver's win last Sunday night against New England, that erased any chance the Broncos wouldn't win the AFC West. So that leaves division foes Kansas City and Oakland chasing a wild-card spot in hopes of returning to the playoffs. The Chiefs last made it in the 2013 season but haven't won a playoff game since 1993. Oakland hasn't been to the playoffs since 2002 when it lost the Super Bowl -- that was the last time the team finished with a winning record.

NFL Playoff Scenarios with Expert Predictions and Analysis
by Trevor Whenham - 12/3/2015

The NFL Playoffs seem like they are still a long way off, and there is a lot of football left between now and the postseason. Even now, though, bettors need to be aware of the race for the playoffs and the implications that it can have. Teams in the playoff hunt can have an extra incentive each time out. Teams that have no playoff future may not be as sharp as they could be. You need to be aware of playoff situations to give yourself an extra edge in your handicapping - any edge helps. Here's a look at the situation in each of the eight divisions: